Achievement recognised in Hackney Sports Awards 2014
More than 1,000 people packed out Hackney Empire to see the borough’s sporting stars rewarded for their achievements of the past year.
The ninth annual Hackney Sports Award, one of the highlights of the borough calendar, celebrates and recognises sporting excellence of schools, individuals, coaches, volunteers, and young and old alike.
The ceremony, on Tuesday 4 November, was compered by comedian Kat B who was joined by special guests, sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, gold medallist at Zurich 2014; and former GB sprinter Jeanette Kwakye.
Awards were presented by Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe, Speaker Cllr Sharon Patrick, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Cllr Jonathan McShane, and Phil Lane Head of Sport and Legacy for GLL, the Council’s leisure partner.
Hackney came sixth in the London Youth Games this summer – the highest placement in over 30 years, earning the team the ‘Most Improved Borough’ trophy - and the team was also honoured at the awards.
Kamil Nowak, 17, from BSix, is part of Hackney Boys Volleyball Team who won Most Improved Team in the Games. He said: “I’m shocked! We trained our hardest and did our best. Our goal is to improve next year.”
Marianne Sharpe, Head Coach and brains behind Hackney Disability Swimming Club, received the Inclusion Award for giving her time, dedication and enthusiasm to the club and supporting swimmers and parents alike.
She said: “I’m ecstatic! I’d like to thank the parents, young swimmers and teachers. Without them, I couldn't do it. It’s like a big family.”Noah Williams picked up the prize for the Under-16s Sports Personality of the Year.He said: "I'm happy and shocked. I’ve been preparing for lots of competitions, doing lots of training. I competed for the Junior World at the beginning of September and will be doing the Junior Europeans, hopefully the European Games and Dresden. I’d like to thank my coach.”
There was also a performance from Tropical Isles carnival group who wowed the audience with their vibrant costumes and high-tempo dancing.
The awards, which were yet another sell-out night at the Hackney Empire, just get better and better each year. The sporting talent in Hackney is outstanding with so many people having so much to celebrate. It was an honour to be able to recognise all those who have done the borough proud both in their chosen field and behind the scenes. I would like to congratulate all the winners and everybody who was nominated for an award, as well as Council staff, for making the awards night a very special one indeed.
Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe said: “The Hackney Sports Awards are all about celebrating home-grown talent at all levels. From competitive sport at the London Youth Games, to pupils of all abilities who sought individual improvement in the Hackney Personal Best, and not forgetting the participants of the New Age Games who continue to enjoy fitness into older age, we are rightly proud of the talent and determination evident in the borough.
“These awards also allow us to recognise and thank all those people who support and organise sports on a voluntary basis, and without whom many of the achievements we celebrated would not be possible.”
2014 Hackney Sports Awards Winners
Outstanding Individual Contribution to the London Youth Games:
Yebila Collins
Outstanding Team Contribution to the London Youth Games:
Hackney Judo Team
Most Improved Team in the London Youth Games:
Hackney Boys Volleyball Team
Pride of Hackney:
Grace Dick Oakley, Lily McKay, Demi Fayase, Conor Clark, Zeniece Hall, Joe Spencer, Tia Philips, Emily Downey, Nikita Wisdom, Clemency Linden, Jack Davis
London Youth Games Schools Challenge:
Stoke Newington School (£250 sports equipment vouchers)
Fit 4 Health:
Grace Bacon, Sarah Windebank
New Age Games:
Sandy Doherty, Abdul Rashid Patel
Inclusion award:
Marianne Sharpe
Personal Bests:
Grasmere Primary School
Primary School Sport:
Winners: Gayhurst Primary School
Runners Up: Grasmere Primary School and Jubilee Primary School
Under 18 Team of the Year:
Stoke Newington Girls Under 13 Football Team
Coach of the Year:
Calvin Walker Hall
Club of the Year:
Hackney BMX Club
Youth Sports Fund:
Gold Award – individual:
Tresor Mashakar Mosungela – karate
Grace Bradley Shankar – sailing
Lauryn John Baptiste – tennis
Tayo Edun – football
Nathan Dupre – BMX
Olivia Eastwood Gray – netball
Zahna Hall – table tennis
Silver – individual:
Oscar Daniel –football
Ella Sharman – swimming
Isaac Osofisan – athletics
Molly Lloyd – cycling
Bronze – individual:
Saul Howard – Archery
Samuel Bardill – cycling
Hal Crampin – triathlon
Vawn Humphrey Wilson – kayak slalom
Coaching Education, Gold:
Raquel Garcia Garcia – tennis
Community Clubs, Gold:
Britannia Netball Club, Hackney Community Youth Football Club
Mayor’s Award for Services to Sport Made in Hackney: Nana Badu
Under 16 Sports Personality of the Year:
Winner: Noah Williams – diving
Runner Up: Witkoria Tomaszewski – karate
Under 25 Sports Person of the Year:
Winner: Mandela Egbo
Runner Up: Olivia Eastwood Gray